Mind Body Health & Politics

In this short episode, Dr. Richard Miller explains why comparison quietly damages your peace—and the simple mental shift he teaches to break the habit before it steals your joy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Psychotherapist Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to discuss a groundbreaking psilocybin-assisted therapy study for young adults with anorexia nervosa at the University of California, San Francisco. Together, they explore how psychedelics can help restore connection between mind, body, and community—and how true healing extends beyond the individual to include family, cultu...

Beyond Profit: The Human Cost of Capitalism — with Dr. David McNally Historian Dr. David McNally joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to explore the deep relationship between capitalism, slavery, and community — and why the path forward may depend on reclaiming our capacity for cooperation and hope. Together, they trace how capitalism evolved from feudal systems, how slavery became its brutal engine, an...

The Psychology of Love and Connection with Dr. Rick Hanson Psychologist Dr. Rick Hanson joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to explore how compassion, community, and love can rewire the human brain — and why our survival as a species may depend on it. Together, they discuss the “two wolves within us,” how positive neuroplasticity turns fleeting moments of kindness into lasting change, and what it takes...

The Psychology of Love and Connection with Dr. Rick Hanson Psychologist Dr. Rick Hanson joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to explore how compassion, community, and love can rewire the human brain — and why our survival as a species may depend on it. Together, they discuss the “two wolves within us,” how positive neuroplasticity turns fleeting moments of kindness into lasting change, and what it takes...

Building Community with MDMA: Charles Wininger's 20-Year Experiment Psychotherapist Charles Wininger shares 20 years of experience leading group MDMA sessions in New York, detailed protocols for creating safe communal experiences, and his vision for a nationwide simultaneous experience to rebuild community connections. Guest: Charles Wininger - Psychotherapist for 35 years, psychonaut for 50 years...

The Poem That Made a Room Full of Men Cry Dr. Jed Diamond joins Dr. Miller for a conversation about isolation, authoritarianism, and why building community may be our only defense against tyranny. Includes the Father Earth poem by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. Guest: Dr. Jed Diamond - Author of 17 books, men's health advocate, in the same men's group for 46 years Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction - Tribal...

Why Marriage Is Failing America's Poor (And Making Inequality Worse) Economist Michael Tanner reveals the marriage gap between rich and poor, why rural poverty is worse than urban, and how the collapse of traditional economies is creating a generation of unmarriageable men. Guest: Michael Tanner - Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, author of research on marriage and...

They Feed 30 People for $90 (How Cohousing Actually Works) Architect Charles Durrett reveals the economics and social dynamics of cohousing communities, plus Iceland's revolutionary approach to neurodiverse living where autism isn't a limitation but simply a different way of being. Guest: Charles Durrett - Principal architect at The Cohousing Company, coined the term "cohousing" in 1985, designed...

The Psychedelic Renaissance: 6 Leaders on Integration, Ethics & Access An unprecedented panel discussion featuring six pioneers of psychedelic medicine, moderated by Dr. Richard L. Miller. From underground roots to FDA trials, from ketamine clinics to ibogaine centers, these leaders reveal the challenges and breakthroughs shaping the future of psychedelic therapy. Panelists: • Matt Xavier - Author...

At age 9, Michael Ostrolenk looked at his overweight, chain-smoking psychiatrist and asked his mother: "He can't help himself. How's he gonna help me?" Then he walked out and never looked back. Now 54, Michael completes 50-mile rucks with weighted vests and trains Navy SEALs through SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind Academy. After 43 years in martial arts and decades as a performance coach, he's identif...

Dr. Heather Lee: When Traditional Therapy Fails, Sacred Medicine Succeeds Mind Body Health Politics Episode - Dr. Richard Lewis Miller Episode Description A mother lost her 2-year-old to cancer and spent two years bedbound with grief. Traditional therapy, medication, and family support all failed her. Then she discovered Dr. Heather Lee's psilocybin therapy in Colorado—and everything changed. What...

The Forgiveness Trap: Why "Forgive and Forget" Perpetuates the Very Harm It Claims to Heal Description: Most people think forgiveness means welcoming harmful people back into your life. Veronica Monet reveals why this approach actually perpetuates cycles of abuse—and what real healing looks like. Guest Bio: Veronica Monet is a former high-end escort turned therapist and domestic violence counselor...

Dr. Lauren Rosewarne on Perversion, Porn, and What We Won't Talk About Description: Pop culture isn't just entertainment—it's become our default sex educator. Dr. Lauren Rosewarne breaks down how algorithms profit from our sexual confusion and why "perversion" is actually universal human experience. Guest Bio: Dr. Lauren Rosewarne is a media scholar at the University of Melbourne who has built her...

The Forgiveness Trap: Why "Forgive and Forget" Perpetuates the Very Harm It Claims to Heal Description: Most people think forgiveness means welcoming harmful people back into your life. Veronica Monet reveals why this approach actually perpetuates cycles of abuse—and what real healing looks like. Guest Bio: Veronica Monet is a former high-end escort turned therapist and domestic violence counselor...

Dr. Alex Belser, clinical scientist and psychologist formerly at NYU and Yale, reveals why 98% of psychedelic therapy happens underground—and the dark history the field doesn't want you to know. Guest Bio: Dr. Alexander Belser is a clinical scientist, psychologist, and psychedelic researcher. Author of EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression (Oxford University Press) and Queering Psychedelics: F...

Dr. Lauren Rosewarne on Perversion, Porn, and What We Won't Talk About Description: Pop culture isn't just entertainment—it's become our default sex educator. Dr. Lauren Rosewarne breaks down how algorithms profit from our sexual confusion and why "perversion" is actually universal human experience. Guest Bio: Dr. Lauren Rosewarne is a media scholar at the University of Melbourne who has built her...

Dr. Jarrett Rose reveals groundbreaking research from inside a week-long psychedelic retreat in Jamaica where 11 strangers took escalating doses of psilocybin—and discovered something clinical trials are missing entirely. Guest Bio: Dr. Jarrett Rose is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute studying psychedelic culture and group therapy dynamics. A former high school dro...

Dr. Alex Belser, clinical scientist and psychologist formerly at NYU and Yale, reveals why 98% of psychedelic therapy happens underground—and the dark history the field doesn't want you to know. Guest Bio: Dr. Alexander Belser is a clinical scientist, psychologist, and psychedelic researcher. Author of EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression (Oxford University Press) and Queering Psychedelics: F...

Discover how scientific self-experimentation went from heroic standard practice to career-ending stigma—and what we lost about consciousness research in the process. Why 19th-century scientists routinely self-experimented with psychoactive substances How the 1962 FDA amendments changed scientific culture forever The underground networks continuing psychedelic research outside institutions What the...

In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Richard Miller speaks with Satya, a Portuguese healer and former professional surfer, about the vital importance of self-care for those in helping professions. From the healing power of small communities to the ongoing work of trauma integration, this discussion offers practical wisdom for sustaining oneself while serving others. About Our Guest Satya is a 47...

Renowned psychologist Dr. Monnica Williams reveals how racial trauma affects people of color daily, and offers three practical actions anyone can take to create positive change. How subtle, everyday racism leads to lasting psychological injury through "microaggressions" Why many of us are conditioned not to see racism, even when it's happening right in front of us The shocking study showing it too...

MDMA-assisted therapy could be key to healing Ukraine's war trauma—and might even help mend our own divided society's psychological wounds. Key Insights: MAPS' Phase 3 clinical trials showed 72.6% of severe PTSD patients no longer qualified for diagnosis after MDMA therapy Group therapy combined with MDMA shows enormous promise for healing communities facing widespread trauma Epigenetic research s...

​Dr. Nicholas Powers reveals how psychedelics could help heal generational trauma in communities of color while reinvigorating social movements at a critical political moment. In This Episode: - Why the "Black psychedelic revolution" is currently a celebrity trend but needs to become accessible to working-class communities - How the constant psychological burden of "the white superego" creates tra...

While clinical trials capture headlines, 99.9% of psychedelic experiences happen outside laboratory walls. Dr. Matthew Lowe shares groundbreaking research revealing that self-guided psychedelic use can deliver the same benefits as clinical settings, including reductions in depression and anxiety. The world's largest naturalistic psilocybin study with 8,000+ participants How home use of magic mushr...